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Places interesting to see between London and Llandudno

signed

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I will be arriving at St Pancras on a Sunday at 0930, need to be in Llandudno by 1800, and I don't really know what to do with this journey. Like interesting/scenic routing?

I will hold a Britrail pass for that day, and I don't care if the trip takes the whole day.

I am already quite interested to visit the Crewe Heritage Center (it will be open when I am going)
 
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Mcr Warrior

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If you've a couple of hours to spare, a walk around Chester city centre might be nice. You'll likely be headed that way, anyway.

When are you travelling? Not 100% sure if Crewe Heritage Centre is open just now. Happy to be corrected.
 

sad1e

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If i were you i would get GWR to Cardiff Central and Then get the TFW Class 67 hauled service from there to Crewe dining on it and then get the 197s from Crewe to Chester. Would be a doable route for you if you hold a britrail pass and there is some nice scenery along the welsh marches line too. If you really wanted you could also do it via the heart of wales line which is very scenic but you would have to plan that carefully due to the low service frequency.
 

Mcr Warrior

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I will be arriving at St Pancras on a Sunday at 0930, need to be in Llandudno by 1800...

If i were you i would get GWR to Cardiff Central and Then get the TFW Class 67 hauled service from there to Crewe dining on it and then get the 197s from Crewe to Chester. Would be a doable route for you if you hold a britrail pass and there is some nice scenery along the welsh marches line too. If you really wanted you could also do it via the heart of wales line which is very scenic but you would have to plan that carefully due to the low service frequency.
Does the time available even allow for a viable itinerary via Cardiff or Newport on a Sunday, never mind stopping off anywhere of interest inbetween such as the Crewe Heritage Centre or Chester?
 

enginedin

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a walk around Chester city centre might be nice
as a former Chester resident, I strongly agree! Also, Conwy (can walk over from Llandudno Junction - admittedly the first bit of the walk is not very interesting but nice view of the estuary from the bridge, etc)
 

AndrewE

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I would say don't bother stopping at Crewe (Heritage Centre a long way from the station, not particularly impressive last time I was there) but get off and walk round the walls at Chester. Make sure you have a [1/4"] map with you, sit on the RHS going on from Chester and enjoy the estuary/coastal views from there on.
 

LNW-GW Joint

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I would say don't bother stopping at Crewe (Heritage Centre a long way from the station, not particularly impressive last time I was there) but get off and walk round the walls at Chester. Make sure you have a [1/4"] map with you, sit on the RHS going on from Chester and enjoy the estuary/coastal views from there on.
It's a stiff walk from the station to the old city within the walls at Chester.
Best take a bus or taxi I would say, to Foregate St or Castle St, which are close to the centre.

Sundays on Avanti aren't always the best ride, and through trains to Chester/North Wales are the first to go if there is any disruption - you then have to rely on Transport for Wales.
The route is nice and rural for the most part after Watford, and once you hit the Dee estuary after Chester there are good views, particularly seawards.
There are old Soviet MiGs next to the line on the left at Broughton (Airbus factory).

The only through train I can see in May to fit your bill is the 1300 Euston-Holyhead (before the timetable change on the 18th).
Earlier than that you need to catch an Avanti train to Crewe and change to TfW.
On May 18 I can see replacement buses are involved Rhyl-Llandudno Jn, so that's a date to avoid.
On May 25 the replacement buses run from Chester to Llandudno Jn.
Travel on May 4 from Euston looks horrific (this is a bank holiday weekend with major engineering work).
The railway, particularly the WCML is not at its best on Sundays.
I doubt you'll have time for local excursions if you must be in Llandudno by 1800.
Try fastjp for options.
 
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Bradford PA

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I have to endorse the suggestions regarding Chester or Conwy. Both have great views and walks with an interesting range of shops. Relatively easy run on to Llandudno afterwards so this will be easy to judge timewise.
 

Oxfordblues

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If you can work out a suitable itinerary I would recommend going via the scenic route: Birmingham International, Shrewsbury, Machynlleth, Minffordd and Blaenau Ffestiniog.
 

chrisjo

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as a former Chester resident, I strongly agree! Also, Conwy (can walk over from Llandudno Junction - admittedly the first bit of the walk is not very interesting but nice view of the estuary from the bridge, etc)
It is if you make a short detour to the shore past the RSPB Conwy reserve entrance, great views of track & castle as you walk along from there.
 

65477

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As the trip is on a Sunday no doubt it could be planned to include a Rail Replacement Bus service.
 

Western 52

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For railway interest, there are still some semaphore signals at Deganwy and Llandudno, including a now rare gantry.
 

Mcr Warrior

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If you can work out a suitable itinerary I would recommend going via the scenic route: Birmingham International, Shrewsbury, Machynlleth, Minffordd and Blaenau Ffestiniog.
OP is arriving at St Pancras on a Sunday at 0930, and needs to be in Llandudno by 1800. What possible valid itinerary can you suggest? Have to say the 'if' is doing a lot of heavy lifting here if you're contemplating sending them via Machynlleth / Minffordd!
 

Lost property

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To be honest, as others have said, once you leave Chester, the best views are on the right hand side...Colwyn Bay, once you leave the tunnel at Old Colwyn, is nice.

Ironically, once you leave Llandudno Jnc for the short leg to Llandudno, the best views are on the left.

How long are you staying in Llandudno ?....not sure about the current state, as it got a shade battered, but, a walk to the end of the pier is worthwhile and certainly the tram up the Great Orme ( the cafe isn't up to much however)and then, a nice walk down. Also, there's an award winning Fish n Chip shop by the tram station.

Don't worry if you see, and hear, fast jets / helicopters....the locality is one of their play areas for anything coming from / going to RAF Valley.
 

Bevan Price

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If there is engineering work on the West Coast Main Line on the chosen Sunday, one alternative might be Midland Main Line, St. Pancras to Sheffield, then Sheffield to Manchester Piccadilly; Manchester Piccadilly to Chester (break if time permits); Chester to Llandudno (change at Llandudno Junction if necessary)..

Alternatively you could do Manchester - Crewe (change)- Chester. You will pass the Heritage Centre, and see many of the exhibits, but it is probably at least a 15 minute walk each way from/to the station, and unless it is a "special event day", there may not be much happening.
 

Lost property

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The night before heading to Ireland on Irish Ferries, I am quite fond of hiking and I have schedule to do the whole round great orme hike on Monday morning
Ah, please be aware the hike up and down the Great Orme can be deceptive and may take longer than you have planned.

For the rest of the journey, have a look at Conwy Castle as you pass on the train...it's impressive when viewed from ground level.

After that, have a look on the left at the former quarries at Penmaenmawr and think what it must have been like walking to the top, then work, then walking back down again.

Anglesey is pretty flat, but you will go through RAF Valley, and Holyhead breakwater is worth seeing as you leave port as is Holyhead mountain.
 

CaptainHaddock

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The night before heading to Ireland on Irish Ferries, I am quite fond of hiking and I have schedule to do the whole round great orme hike on Monday morning
If you like walking I'd recommend getting off at Colwyn Bay and walking the coastal path westbound, through Rhos-on-sea then over the Little Orme into Llandudno. Despite its name the Little Orme boasts spectacular views from the top and if you're lucky you may see seals basking on the beach at Angel Bay.
 

ian1944

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Neither interesting nor scenic, but observe the North Wales coast caravan rash as you pass (Rhyl is particularly choice) and rejoice that you don't live there.
 

peteb

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I'd go GWR Paddington 1045 to Cardiff 1236, then TfW Cardiff 1329 to Llandudno Junction 1733, changing there for Llandudno 1750.

Relatively easy on eg: Sunday 11 May.

Good fast run on the GWR mainline, through the Severn Tunnel, an hour at Cardiff maybe try a beer at one of many new places by the station.

Scenic marches route via Shrewsbury and Chester with no changes until Llandudno. If you sit on the left hand side of the train you'll see more scenery, then when it reverses at Chester you'll be on the "right" side to see the sea!

Other scenic routes to consider if you're returning to London from Llandudno by rail (but suggest avoid Sundays):

Llandudno-Chester-Manchester-Sheffield. Runs through highly scenic peak District. Sheffield-Derby-Leicester-London St. Pancras.

Or:

Llandudno-Chester-Crewe-Hereford-Worcester-Oxford-London Paddington. Requires changes at Crewe and Hereford. Takes in scenic Marches line and Cotswold line. Possible to get lunch between Crewe and Hereford if you get a loco hauled train.
 

signed

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I was looking at the 225Group page and found that LNER 225 was running on Sundays and Trainsplit gave me an itinerary of

1033 Kings Cross 1255 Leeds LNER, 1332-1501 Liverpool Lime Street TPE, Merseyrail to Chester and TfW to Llandudno via Llandudno junction

Is that a feasible itnerary on a normal Sunday?
 

30907

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I was looking at the 225Group page and found that LNER 225 was running on Sundays and Trainsplit gave me an itinerary of

1033 Kings Cross 1255 Leeds LNER, 1332-1501 Liverpool Lime Street TPE, Merseyrail to Chester and TfW to Llandudno via Llandudno junction

Is that a feasible itnerary on a normal Sunday?
Subject to engineering works, yes - there's an alternative from Lime St via Runcorn at 1557 but with a long wait at LLJ - and after that a 3-hour gap for the last branch train :(
 

jp4712

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30907

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